Work and Pensions Minister Esther McVey said: "Creating jobs and getting people into employment is central to our economic plan to build a stronger, more competitive economy, so it is welcome news that Wales reached a record number of women in work last month at 660,000, up 20,000 in three months.

"Across Britain we've seen a record-breaking rise in employment over the last three months — the largest ever, so it's clear that the Government's long term economic plan to get people off benefits and into work so they can secure their future is proving successful."

The number of benefit claimants fell by more than 17,000 over the previous 12 months.